Chelsea seem keen on protecting the talented youth core in their squad after investing in young talents over the last few transfer windows. The Stamford Bridge club have decided to keep one of their youngsters by extending the contract of Ian Maatsen.
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Chelsea Activae Clause in Ian Maatsen Contract
What Did Chelsea Do With Maatsen Contract?
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Blues have activated a clause in Maatsen’s contract to ensure that his deal at the club will stretch until June 2025. His initial contract was supposed to expire after the end of the 2023/24 season.
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The journalist adds that this is to avoid losing him for nothing next summer. Romano also mentions that Chelsea want to agree a new long-term deal with the Dutch full-back.
However, if he refuses to agree to a new contract, the club plans to sell him in 2024. This is similar to how Mason Mount was sold to Manchester United earlier this summer because the Blues did not want to lose him for free.
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Are Any Clubs Interested in Maatsen?
The 21-year-old spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Burnley, and the Clarets reportedly tried hard to sign him but couldn’t get a deal over the line before the end of the summer transfer window. It remains to be seen if they are ready to come back and sign him next year if he fails to agree a new deal with Chelsea.
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Barcelona are reported to have developed an interest in Maatsen if he was to become a free agent. This is probably why the Premier League heavyweights decided to tie him down to a longer contract to ensure he can’t just walk out of the club for free. The left-back, who was praised as an “intelligent” player by Mauricio Pochettino earlier this season, has made eight appearances for Chelsea this season but only started twice.
